Over 1,000 Officials Stuck Without Promotion in Administration
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Despite possessing the required seniority, skills, and qualifications for years, over 1,000 officials across multiple levels are still awaiting promotion in the administration.
Written requests and official promises have gone unfulfilled, breeding silent resentment and a steady decline in motivation.
Without immediate effective action, the administration - already slowed during the interim government’s tenure - risks sliding into further stagnation.
Overall Activities May Be Disrupted
Public administration experts expressed concerns that overall activities could be jeopardized.
They said it is natural that those with specific allegations of irregularities or corruption, those who played a special role in partisanizing the administration during any previous government, or those with ongoing cases will not receive promotions.
On the other hand, it is essential to take exemplary action against them.
However, for those against whom no such allegations exist, promotions should be automatic. When officials are deprived of promotion despite having all qualifications, it is often seen that juniors perform duties in higher positions by superseding their seniors.
Experts noted that in such cases, the administration becomes unbalanced.
According to the Ministry of Public Administration, the list of over 1,000 officials not receiving promotions despite having the necessary qualifications includes at least 300 at the rank of additional secretary, 450 at the rank of joint secretary, and 300 at the rank of deputy secretary.
Among them, around 50 percent were deprived during the tenures of the Awami League and the interim government. In administrative terms, these officials are referred to as being “left out”.
They have already applied to the Ministry of Public Administration for a reconsideration of their promotions.
Moreover, 500 officials from several batches, who achieved the qualifications for promotion to additional, joint, and deputy secretary ranks between eight months and a year ago, are waiting.
State Minister of Public Administration Md Abdul Bari told Agamir Somoy, “It is natural for the qualified to seek promotion. Work on promotions is ongoing. Promotions will happen soon based on merit and skill.”
Government policy-making sources revealed that the Ministry of Public Administration has started preliminary work to grant promotions.
For promotions from joint secretary to additional secretary, the 21st batch is being considered. While 170 officials from the batch achieved qualification November 2025, at least 180 deprived officials from the 20th BCS batch are also hopeful.
However, at least 60 officials from the batch are not being considered because they served as district commissioners (DC) and private secretaries (PS) to ministers during the Awami League era.
The Superior Selection Board (SSB), the authority responsible for recommending promotions, is currently verifying the data of 300 officials, including those from other cadres.
Moreover, at least 204 officials from the 25th BCS batch, who qualified October 2025, are being considered for promotion to joint secretary. On 20 March 2025, 137 out of 320 eligible officials from the 24th BCS batch were promoted.
The list of those deprived included 183 officials, including five DCs appointed by the interim government. At least 60 officials who served as PS to ministers and as DCs in various districts during the previous government are not being considered in this round of promotions.
During the time, officials who did not receive promotions met en masse with the then Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid and the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Mokhles Ur Rahman.
They also submitted written applications for reconsideration, and both secretaries assured them the matter would be looked into. More than 130 officials from other cadres who are eligible for promotion but could not become joint secretaries have also filed written applications.
In February 2025, 252 officials from the 31st BCS batch qualified for the rank of deputy secretary. 25 percent of officials from other cadres will also receive promotions alongside them. 50 out of 79 deprived officials from the 30th BCS batch may be considered.
Expert Perspectives
Former Secretary and Ambassador A H Mofazzal Karim told Agamir Somoy, “If a qualified official does not get promoted, they can apply in writing to the minister/state minister and Secretary. If that fails, they can go to court. Besides, it is unjust not to promote officials just because they served as PS to ministers or as DCs under a previous government. However, if there are specific allegations against someone, that is a different matter.”
Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, former adviser to the interim government and head of the Public Administration Reform Commission, told Agamir Somoy, “Under no circumstances should seniors be superseded. This is not the nature of the administration. It is much like a railway line; seniors should be promoted first, then juniors.
“If someone is not promoted, specific reasons must be provided. However, partisan officials in the administration must be punished. They must face exemplary trial.”
Former Additional Secretary Md Firoz Mia told Agamir Somoy, “Qualified officials should be promoted on time. Otherwise, anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction arise. Administrative work is disrupted. A frustrated administration is born. At the end of the day, service to the people is hampered.”
